Monday, October 5, 2009

After discovering a gal who is a journalist, poet and artist I thought I might ask her if she would help critique and guide me in the right direction in submitting my art and poetry to viable publishers. After making contact with her I discovered there was more to the meeting than I had realized, a road I not often traveled opened wider for me today and now even more would like to continue on the journey of self discovering while inspiring others along the way. This message is for anyone who wants to do the best they could ever do while their time in this world.Hope you enjoy it,keep it in your heart and that somehow I have inspired you today in some little way!

Dear Friend,

I am very grateful for your prompt reply. There is a Portuguese fellow who does come from time to time to visit my blog and comments on my poetry; I think he is a poet. If you ever do visit my blog and read some of my work you may find one of his comments.

I have never been so adamant before now in wanting to accomplish some striking work in the fields of literature and art. I am far from a wonderful writer or artist for I do realize there are so many out there that have unbelievable talent but all the same I would like to create some very, very good, actually if possible some noteworthy work, why, I have no idea just a strong desire in my heart, that’s as far as I can explain this driving force. But here is a little story to stir things up for you, for it did for me this morning.

For some time now I’ve been waiting for a MRI and on the 21st of September of the past month I had an appointment for one at 7p.m. at night believing it was in Ottawa’s east end “Orleans”, what I didn’t realize at the time was I had written the location wrong, it should have been in Kingston, a totally different city 2 ½ hours away in the opposite direction. Needless to say I missed my appointment of all things when I terribly needed it and ultimately now suffering more. I sure hope all this forgetfulness isn’t the beginnings of Alzheimer’s, just old age and pain creating the mix ups. I even lost my wallet at the grocery store the other day but I was lucky to retrieve it, on the other hand I lost my daughter’s green p.j. pants with the Grinch on them while doing laundry at the Laundromat (my Maytag doesn’t sing any more), unfortunately I never did find them and now need to find her another pair; they were hand made and a Christmas gift to her last year. But on this particular evening something good came out of the wrong road taken for while I was looking for the clinic a church marquis caught my eye with a notable message written on it and I thought about the meaning it conveyed. To me it was easily comprehensible and something I wanted clearly to remember, but guess what I once again forgot the passage, at least one of its words. Then after writing to you yesterday and asking for your help and in replying to your letter this morning the marquis message once again surfaced in my memory. So definitely after all this I realized I wanted to post this message up on my blog today for its valuable qualities for all who believe and have a kind heart. I think you may like this article, I know I did when I searched for the one missing word to the message that time again I had forgotten but if I had not forgotten the word I probably wouldn’t have discovered the writer to this well thought out explanation of the extract by googling the partial quote.Please do make a little time in your day to take a peek and read this, very rewarding I promise.

Once again thank you. I look forward to keeping in touch and sharing our thoughts on the arts.

Sincerely, Annabelle

And here is the excerpt of Doctor Carolyn Porter‘s assumption of the quote “Aspire to Inspire Before You Expire”...

“Quite a mouthful isn’t it? Say it fast and you’ll trip over the words most likely. I saw this phrase on a church marquis as I was driving and it sparked my interest to the point that I thought about what it could mean. Here are my thoughts.To aspire simply means to have a yearning or desire to do something and strive to do it. An aspiring individual is ambitious, hopeful and enthusiastic. This is the kind of person you’d want as a team player in your business for he would keep spirits up and the momentum flowing.Inspire on the other hand refers to the spirit of encouragement as well as the ability to stimulate creative activity. It is that internal spark needed to make things happen – basically to get off the sofa and get into action. An inspiring individual is uplifting, stimulating, exciting and motivates. This person can light the fire needed to begin the action.This is exactly what a coach does – lights a fire within their client to make changes. What is a coach? Simply a guide who ascertains a perspective outside the life “game” that the client is in the midst of. As a player in the middle of the game it is hard to see all perspectives since that person is concentrating on their position and viewpoint. An outsider can often see the greater picture and offer new thoughts while encouraging and stimulating the individual into action.As individuals travel their life path they often find themselves in a place of feeling stuck. Perhaps they’ve been playing their life “game” for a while and are tired of the same playing field. Change is necessary but they can’t see the big picture because they’re still on the playing field. Or maybe they simply want to do something more rewarding and different. Perhaps you’ve been in this place; maybe you are there right now.Inspiring someone to make changes and become “unstuck” so they can move in a new direction in their life is such a rewarding endeavor. Supporting an individual who needs to know someone cares can uplift both individuals to a place of inner satisfaction. As a wholeness coach, helping people see their potential and gain understanding that if they can imagine it they can do it is the most fulfilling aspect of my life. Watching an individual make positive changes in their life and see the smile spread across their face once they “get it,” does indeed make my heart soar.But we can take inspiration a step further and reference a deeper meaning. Inspiration can also refer to divine guidance. In this context it means breathe into or draw into the lungs as the breath of life. Inspiration here is the flow of a divine energy that enters one’s thoughts and heart easily without any forethought or contemplation. My books come in this way and I’m sure most authors would attest to this kind of inspiration while writing their works. In fact, I am routinely influenced with divine wisdom every day of my life and cannot imagine life without this guidance. An inspired life such as this leaves the ego outside of the equation for the most part.I believe that allowing yourself to become inspired and then sharing your thoughts, words and actions with others so that you inspire them in some way, is the ultimate fulfillment in this lifetime. We each came here with a gift to share and our responsibility is to uncover it with inspired guidance, allowing inspiration to help it unfold, and then taking inspired action to do it. Inspired living is spirit-driven whereas a usual lifestyle is ego-driven.Perhaps you’ve been nudged to move forward in a new direction – change your vocation, write a book, take some training, open a new business – but you are hesitating because you doubt you have the time, resources or capabilities to do it, or you’re simply in a state of fear about moving in this new direction. You are most likely receiving divine inspiration and if you follow that guidance it will bring you amazing results that will include peacefulness and inner fulfillment. Maybe you’ve felt guided to help others in some way, to support, love, guide or encourage them on their journey.There is no joy greater than knowing you inspired someone into action. Many leave this planet with their music still inside them, and what a tragedy that is. Maybe all they needed was someone to inspire and stimulate them, to believe in them and help them see their potential. What a gift that would be for that person to receive. And think how awesome it would be if you were the giver of that gift!So in summing up the meaning of the phrase aspire to inspire before you expire, it simply says to have the desire to arouse and positively influence an individual into action so that they fulfill their innermost desires before they die and leave this planet. And it also applies to you – allowing inspiration to flow through you so that you too experience an inspired life. As always, the choice is yours! Be the inspiration!”

Carolyn Porter, D. Div., is an internationally known speaker, author of mutiple books and audios that include "The Realness of a Woman" and "Angel Love", spiritual wholeness coach, trainer and angel channel whose passion is helping individuals move beyond their limitations and help them see they can do and be what they can envision. She recently opened a healing center called Where Miracles Happen in Woodstock, GA, fulfilling a seven year dream. Their services include massage, hypnotherapy, life and health coaching, angel sessions, self-publishing coaching, reiki, reflexology, acutonics, classes, a gift shop, and much more. For more information or to order her books visit her website at http://www.drcarolynporter.com/

Thanks for the encouragement Vicki and Dzintra, very much appreciated. Emma your quite right, I need the bats! I asked Ty to help me make some animations this weekend and I could use your help! Oh and by the way driving home from school this morning I got a great idea for a story , of course I had Lady Gaga blaring….hehehe…but hey it was her who gave me the inspiration. Like I said inspiration surrounds us we only need to LOOK! Get busy on your writing or there will be no home studies this coming January and I mean business! Hehehe! Looking forward to reading your work and getting inspired and giving you inspiration as well! Luv you a whole bunch! Thanks for dropping by I luved it this morning; it was a big surprise, as you can see by the response….. You made my day!!!!

Annabelle, you are such an inspiration with this post! Actually, I've been reading another very good book about this subject, by Wayne Dyer, and I was astounded to find this post on your blog while I was popping in to say hello! Thank you.By the way, your new banner is terrific! Love the bats ;))Monicax.

WOW. I am sorry you missed your appointment Annabelle... I hope they are able to reschedule soon.Talk about making the best of your detour though. I was enthralled reading the entire post and I'm sure I will be re-reading it. I hope your dreams come true sweet one, you are so talented, I knew it as soon as I saw and read your poetry on flick'r. You have so much "song" within you. Thank you for sharing it with us!

BTW we have been watching Bewitched at Wren Cottage, been renting the DVD's and have been enjoying it so much! And your banner is AMAZING!!!! LOVE it!! I've seen that image before and just LOVE what you did with it!!! CLEVER, CLEVER, CLEVER!!Have a great day sweetie and hang in there~ lots of love to you ~ Madai XOX

~ Can I Keep You ?

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Note: If you personally hold copyright to any images or other content herein and wish it to be removed or credited, please email me and I'm more than happy to do so.

Eddy needs credit as do some other work....searching for their rightful creators to credit**** Please understand if you do come across any of your work with no credited signiture.... I will be very prompt to add your copyright to the work if you beat me to the punch.

THE WOOD BEYOND THE WORLD

A place for keeping my art in larger formats

*** Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ***

“Where there is no imagination there is no horror”. Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.

*** Sir Christopher Lee ***

“There are many vampires in the world today - you only have to think of the film business”

*** Peter Cushing ***

. Actually, I'm a gentle fellow. Never harmed a fly.

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*** Haunted House ***

*** They're Creepy and they're Kooky,Mysterious and Spooky***

Here is a lovely wallpaper I came across done by a gal named Isis Rain.

*** Atta Boy Luther ***

“It was terrible. It was just terrible. I'll never get over it as long as I live".......From back in the Sixties to now this is one favorite ghost tale that will happily haunt me infinitely.

Click on Luther for a bit of interesting trivia.

*** Poe Stories ***

Artwork by David Gough

*** PoeStories ***

Daydreaming

"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." Eleonora

*******************************************************

Remembering Dreams

"Arousing from the most profound of slumbers, we break the gossamer web of some dream. Yet in a second afterward, (so frail may that web have been) we remember not that we have dreamed." The pit and the pendulum

********************************************************Human Beauty

"And then there stole into my fancy, like a rich musical note, the thought of what sweet rest there must be in the grave."- from Pit and the Pendulum**********************************************************Excerpt taken from Robert Giordano's Edgar Allan Poe Sitehttp://poestories.com/credits.php

Artwork by David Gough

Quite an interesting site******* a Must See

*** Snow Angel "Grace " ` No costume needed

There is no other way to describe this gal...she is a beaut! Luv her!

*** Gremlins ***

Does your father usually give you vicious little monsters for a present?

Happy Sweet Sixteen Birthday Emma

*** Nine Little Spooky Goblins ***

Nudge Ogle Wink,Nudge, Nudge, Wink WinkNine little spooky goblins stared behind the bubble glassso carefully they watched my every step upon the grassTis alarming when a stranger comes thru hereFor no one ever dare comes nearTheir home, once sat upon a witches head so steepBut now has found a secret box to keep…~ Annabelle

A Little Spooky Treasure Box I made last Halloween

* ~ Spirit of the Night ~

Soon it will be Hallows Eve...Time to create Art from the Dark Side ***Annabelle

" Halloween Flight "

"Halloween Flight" by Annabellelee
Made this collage on Polyvore. I should really start using my Dreamweaver and make some on that....In time.Too many things on the go at the moment.
~Annabelle

~ Turn of the Screw ~

A Flickr mosaic I made some time ago ~ Annabelle

* ~ "ALL THAT WE SEE OR SEEM IS BUT A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM" Poe ~ *

~ "Magic of the Night"...A study in Blue...Color of my Desires.
My first painting{the moon}incorporated into a flickr mosaic.
~ Annabelle

*** Magic in the Woods ***

"For in an instance I did think
I’d seen a zillion stars ablaze"
When I had discovered the magical grove of fossilized crystals I thought I had seen stars. This is what it looked like only on the ground amongst the moss. Thanks to Zsaj for helping me interpret the scene I had discovered a few summers past.

~ Dreaming by a Moonlit Sea ~

~ Enchantments ~

~ Peter Rabbit ~

Needed a break from woodburning and painting so I tried this lovely little toy{ Polyvore Digital Workshop } and created this collage. This is a great way for creating a virtual one before attempting a real mixed media collage, although this is art in itself. Thanks Cindy from "My Romantic Home "http://www.romantichome.blogspot.com/, for introducing this great little gadget. I think I'm hooked!

* ~ Once Upon a Butterfly Dream ~

~Annabelle

~ Annabelle

* ~ Twilight at Sea ~

Another collage I created inspired by the poem "Twilight at Sea" I used dragonflies instead of birds...I luv them both but I adore how their gossamer wings catch the light.
~Annabelle

Twilight at Sea

The Twilight Hours like birds flew by,As lightly and as free;Ten thousand stars were in the sky,Ten Thousand on the sea;For every wave with dimpled face,That leaped upon the air,Had caught a star in its embrace,And held it trembling there.

Amelia Coppuck Welby

* ~ Until We Meet Again ~

This collage is part of a poem I am presently writing for a very good friend who just recently lost his spouse.
~ Annabelle

~ Somewhere in England On Christmas Night ~

I have always Luved the Old English leaded glass windows

~ Winter Dreams ~

Sunflowers in the Snow...Dreaming ~ Christmas in Canada ~ Annabelle

**** Graphic Work ***

Scroll to bottom of this page to see more of my Graphic Work

*** A Good Witches Brew ***

Flickr Favs Mosaic ~Annabelle

INDUSTRIAL STUDIO WORK SPACE

PINTEREST BUTTON LARGE

MY ART GALLERY ON SOCIETY6

CLICK ON THE EYES

LEONARD COHEN 1934 -2016 RIP

Everybody knows, everybody knows, thats how it goes everybody knows you live forever

HARVEY

“Doctor, I wrestled with reality for forty years, and I am happy to state that I finally won out over it.”

PETER CUSHING APPRECIATION SOCIETY

"You have to have a sense of humour, darling, to be alive. Even a bit mad. It helps to be mad."

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ANNABELLE

About Me

A is for Annabelle
Glad you dropped in. I am the shopkeeper and artist of Cabinet of Old Secret Loves and GhosTales.
"I've always had a terrible weakness for beautiful but sad things."
Ghosts and Lonely Places, Mysterious Haunting Eyes, Spiders and Webs, Shimmering Stars and Magical Moons that Illuminate the Dark Corridors of Night.
Original art done in various traditional mediums: mixed media, acrylics, inks, watercolor, oils and digital graphics.
If only for a moment my art steals your heart then I’ve accomplished my task ~^..^~

ANNABELLE

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DAVID BOWIE

"What I like my music to do to me is awaken the ghosts inside of me. Not the demons, you understand, but the ghosts.

FLICKR

CASPER'S GUESTS

CASPER'S FRIENDS

CABINET OF OLD SECRET LOVES

WHERE INSPIRATION IS BOUNDLESS

THE HAUNTED ORGAN

Sometimes a haunting melody can make quiet an impression ~^..^~

Thanks to Vic Mizzy for creating such unforgettable soundtracks and to Hollis Kim for sharing this fab rendition of the Haunted Organ from The Ghost and Mr. Chicken ….will always luv listening to it, no matter the time of year but especially great in the month of October

" It was Terrible, JUst Terrible"

♥♥♥ The Ghost and Mr. Chicken ~^..^~ Luther

AH SUNFLOWER

Ah Sunflower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the sun;
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done;
Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale virgin shrouded in snow,
Arise from their graves, and aspire
Where my Sunflower wishes to go!
William Blake

*** HERMAN MUNSTER ***

*** MoonCat ***

Dandelight

*** Misty Blue Eyes ***

In its flawless grace and superior self-sufficiency I have seen a symbol of the perfect beauty and bland impersonality of the universe itself, objectively considered, and in its air of silent mystery there resides for me all the wonder and fascination of the unknown. ~ H. P. Lovecraft 1890-1937

"Desperation is a necessary ingredient to learning anything, or creating anything. Period. If you ain`t desperate at some point, you ain`t interesting."

*** Bewitching Moon ***

*** Bewitching Moon ***

Bewitching MoonOver the top of the mountains the moonRose unexpectedlyIn the sky it drifted,A bird, a fairy!Blown out, round and sweetMelon-like!It danced in the skyImpassionedIn the fragrant night,Lighting every road,Making my head swim,My senses dazed.Did I dream?Did I really see you?You fell into the wellLike the declining sun.Moon, wink at meBright Moon, magic moonThe mirror of the loving girl,Peep out at the balcony!

Patrizia Gattaceca

“And the trees give their leaves to the wind,Like a beautifully whispered dream”

*** Bandit alias Vampy ***

Bandit adores biting and extracting blood not kissing...I wonder???
We never did get him a paramour
so maybe it’s all for revenge...haaaaa!

"Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!" - Theophile Gautier

**** Gizmo ****

“I warned you. With Mogwai comes much responsibility. But you didn't listen.”

~ Yes, I am a Dreamer ~

Yes, I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can find his way by moonlight, and see the dawn before the rest of the world.
~Oscar Wilde~

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*** Goood Evening ***

>^..^< Witches Black Cats and a Haunting Book >^..^<

~ Annabelle

* ~ Bela Lugosi ~

LISTEN TO THEM. CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT. WHAT MUSIC THEY MAKE…. DRACULA

*** Lost in Dreams ***

~ Annabelle /09

Reality....Imagination .....or______ Madness ?

Eisenheim

From the moment we enter this lifewe are in the flow of it.We measure it and we mock itbut we cannot defy it.We cannot even speed it upor slow it down

Or can we?

Have we not each experienced the sensationthat a beautiful moment seemed to pass to quicklyand wished that we could make it linger?Or felt time slow on a dull dayand wished that we could speed things up a bit?

Escaping into ....A FairyTalethrough the dimensions of our minds

~ Dreams of Illusions ~

By: Annabelle {Anna Laura Belanger}

What if time and eternity were one?A world in dream…an everlasting sleepMy own magnificent obsessionOf a hundred light years drowned in anUnfathomable beautiful rapture

Did my eyes deceive?What my mind had deemed!Then this life I had subsistWas only an illusion of my dreams?

A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Twilight ~Bella Di Notte

A Twilight Poem

A Dome of Many- Colored Glass by Amy LowellDiya {original title is Greek, Delta-iota-psi-alpha}

Look, Dear, how bright the moonlight is to-night!See where it casts the shadow of that treeFar out upon the grass. And every gustOf light night wind comes laden with the scentOf opening flowers which never bloom by day:Night-scented stocks, and four-o'clocks, and thatPale yellow disk, upreared on its tall stalk,The evening primrose, comrade of the stars.It seems as though the garden which you loveWere like a swinging censer, its incenseFloating before us as a reverent actTo sanctify and bless our night of love.Tell me once more you love me, that’t is youYes, really you, I touch, so, with my hand;And tell me it is by your own free willThat you are here, and that you like to beJust here, with me, under this sailing pine.I need to hear it often for my heartDoubts naturally, and finds it hard to trust.Ah, Dearest, you are good to love me so,And yet I would not have it goodness, ratherExcess of selfishness in you to needMe through and through, as flowers need the sun.I wonder can it really be that youAnd I are here alone, and that the nightIs full of hours, and all the world asleep,And none can call to you to come away;For you have given all yourself to meMaking me gentle by your willingness.Has your life too been waiting for this time,Not only mine the sharpness of this joy?Dear Heart, I love you, worship you as thoughI were a priest before a holy shrine.I'm glad that you are beautiful, althoughWere you not lovely still I needs must love;But you are all things, it must have been soFor otherwise it were not you. Come, close;When you are in the circle of my armFaith grows a mountain and I take my standUpon its utmost top. Yes, yes, once moreKiss me, and let me feel you very nearWanting me wholly, even as I want you.Have years behind been dark? Will those to comeBring unguessed sorrows into our two lives?What does it matter; we have had to-night!To-night will make us strong, for we believeEach in the other, this is a sacrament.Beloved, is it true?

"Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality . Wake Up and Live !"~ Bob Marley

*** FairyMoon ***

*** Catch a Fallin Star ***

*** Story Book ***

*** Dreamy Thoughts ***

*** Lost in Dreams *** Happy Birthday Mom

*** True Love ***

*** MoonFlower ***

*** Wild is the Wind ***

*** Once Upon a Time ***

"And the Dreams of the Night Will Have Vanished by Dawn"

~ Golden Touch ~

My son's first attempt at capturing wildlife in photography class

*** For My Lady *** Moody Blues

My boat sails stormy seasBattles oceans filled with tearsAt last my ports in viewNow that Ive discovered youOh Id give my life so lightlyFor my gentle ladyGive it freely and completelyTo my ladyAs life goes drifting byLike a breeze shell gently sighAnd slowly bow her headThen youll hear her softly cry.Oh Id give my life so lightlyFor my gentle ladyGive it freely and completelyTo my ladyWords that you say when were aloneThough actions speak louder than wordsBut all I can say is I love you soTo drive away all my hurtOh Id give my life so lightlyFor my gentle ladyGive it freely and completelyTo my ladySet sail before the sunFeel the warmth thats just begunShare each and every dreamThey belong to everyone.Oh Id give my life so lightlyFor my gentle ladyGive it freely and completelyTo my lady

******* Copyright Information *******

All graphics, text and design:copyright Anna Belanger - Annabelle

Note: If you personally hold copyright to any images or other content herein and wish it to be removed or credited, please email me and I'm more than happy to do so.

Eddy needs credit as do some other work....searching for their rightful creators to credit**** Please understand if you do come across any of your work with no credited signiture.... I will be very prompt to add your copyright to the work if you beat me to the punch.